Mighty Warriors yet to start preps

Sports Reporter
THE Mighty Warriors’ players were expected to start trooping into camp at ZIFA Village late yesterday after they failed to turn up last Friday ahead the third round Olympic Games qualifier second leg tie against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday. The match is set for Rufaro and Zimbabwe need to overturn a 0-3 deficit after the first leg tie was forfeited when the Mighty Warriors failed to travel to the West African country in July.

ZIFA failed to raise the $34 000 that was needed for the trip.

The return leg was initially set for August 2 but was rescheduled for Sunday after Cote d’Ivoire failed to pitch up amid claims of a communication breakdown with their hosts.

Coach, Rosemary Mugadza, last Wednesday named a 25-member squad ahead of the camp that was initially scheduled to start on Friday.

However, by yesterday evening the players had not reported for camp and team manager, Charity Munemo, confirmed the development.

“The coaches are here but the players have not arrived. We sent out letters on Thursday to the clubs but we heard that some of them had league games yesterday (Saturday) so we are now expecting them late today (yesterday) or tomorrow morning.

“Some of them are coming from far like Mwenezana, they had a game in Gweru.

“We will have to work with the time that we have,” said Munemo.

However, it appears there is confusion concerning the team’s preparations as Zimbabwe Women Football administrator, Theresa Maguraushe, said there were no league games since they were preparing for the National Youth Games currently underway in Mutare and matches will only resume in September.

Maguraushe, could not give more details concerning the camp as she said she was not in the office yesterday.

“I am not very sure because I am not in the office. There were no league games, there are preparations for the Youth Games. The league will resume in September. If there is any problem they have to let us know,” Maguraushe said.

The last time the Mighty Warriors were preparing for the first leg in July there were some challenges as the players boycotted training for a day demanding their outstanding dues back dating to last year.

And with less than a week to prepare for the upcoming tie, it might be difficult for the side to overturn the tables.

The winners between Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday will meet Cameroon in the fourth and last round of the qualifiers.

The other match in the last round will feature South Africa and Equatorial Guinea.

And the two winning countries in the last round will join countries from other continents at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Squad
Chido Dzingirai, Process Chatsamwa, Deliwe Makaha, Nobuhle Majika, Moleen Murandu, Shiela Makoto, Talent Mandaza, Emmaculate Msipa, Chido Muhara, Samkelisiwe Zulu, Marjory Nyaumwe, Erina Jeke, Rutendo Makore, Rudo Neshamba, Mavis Chirandu, Felistus Muzongondi, Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Eunice Chibanda, Lynette Mutokuto, Berita Kabwe, Viola Ndlovu, Daisy Kaitano, Kudzayi Chiparaushe, Tafadzwa Tsunguro.